Best Open-World Games That Are Too Short

When it comes to open-world games, many gamers tend to expect 40 hours of main story gameplay supplemented by endless side content to justify their purchase. This genre of gaming is often praised for featuring expansive and detailed maps, side quests that flesh out the game's world, and a lengthy story that will keep players invested for the entire run.

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By  Robbie Mitchell

While several games have been able to achieve this, it is unrealistic to expect it from every open-world release. The quality of a story is always more important than its duration, and many titles adhere to this rule. While these short open-world games are still greatly appreciated, some players wouldn't mind spending a little longer in their worlds.

6 Sunset Overdrive

Main Story: 10–12 Hours

2014's Sunset Overdrive is an energetic, colorful, open-world title with comedic action and self-aware 4th wall breaks. The world is overrun by people who became mutants after drinking a popular energy drink. In this title, development company Insomniac translated the smooth movement and addictive combat of Ratchet and Clank to an open-world formula.

The game also features exceptional momentum-based traversal to get around the city in the flashiest way possible, so it's no wonder that this development team would go on to make arguably the best Spider-Man web-swinging in gaming. Sunset Overdrive's story is short and sweet, but the smooth gameplay and bright presentation is sure to leave players begging to stay longer.

5 Metro Exodus

Main Story: 15–20 Hours

Metro Exodus has a different take on open-world design. Instead of offering just one map to explore freely, it features multiple large areas the characters pass through on their journey across Russia. Once an area is complete, gamers can move on to the next. The 20-hour story is dynamic, with player actions in combat and exploration directly affecting narrative outcomes.

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By  Rhenn Taguiam

Combat in Metro Exodus is satisfying and fun. Weapons feel heavy and punchy, and enemy AI is smart and careful. Later areas are more linear than the early game, which is likely why it feels a little short to some. Despite this, it is an immersive and complete experience that features an endearing cast of characters that entice players to return for repeat playthroughs.

4 Gravity Rush

Main Story: 12–15 Hours

If given the choice of any superpower, many people would likely go for flight or strength. Gravity Rush offers an interesting alternative. Originally released on the PS Vita, the game features a stylish comic-book presentation and an interesting mechanic for traversal. Players can float in the air, change the direction of gravity, and more.

This system can be disorienting at first, but it's a lot of fun to experiment with. Unique platforming and combat situations also put the player's newfound powers to the test. The story is brief but pleasant, exploring the protagonist's forgotten memories and the gravity storms affecting the cozy open-world town of Hekseville.

3 The Outer Worlds

Main Story: 15–20 Hours

Obsidian's The Outer Worlds was released in 2019 to a positive reception for introducing an impressive sci-fi RPG world (or solar system) to players. Here, the player becomes captain of a small ship, slowly collecting crew members and companions as the story progresses. Players can travel between planets freely, uncovering a corporate conspiracy.

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By  Christian Buckley

The main quest can easily be completed in about 15–20 hours, but there is side content to stretch it further. The game also features several open sections of planets and a few space stations to explore, covering a pretty large area in total. The world, characters, and bright visual design are certain to leave players wanting more after the story ends.

2 Mafia 2

Main Story: 12–15 Hours

Mafia 2 is an open-world crime-drama epic reminiscent of movies like Goodfellas and The Godfather. It is the fan favorite of a highly-praised trilogy. The game's relatively short play-time covers several years of protagonist Vito Scaletta's life in organized crime, and it's set in the 1940s in Empire Bay, a city inspired by New York.

Though it is set in an open world, the story is linear, featuring no real side missions or content. Thankfully, the linear story is strong, featuring compelling characters and impressive voice acting that gives the world an authentic feeling. The gameplay mostly consists of third-person cover shooting and driving, both of which are executed very well.

1 Sleeping Dogs

Main Story: 15–20 Hours

Sleeping Dogs is a crime drama that puts players in the shoes of conflicted undercover cop Wei Shen. While the Mafia Trilogy is inspired by American cinema, Sleeping Dogs has the Hong Kong crime drama DNA. This game is commended for its fluid melee combat, memorable characters, and stylish presentation.

The story can be completed in under 20 hours, but the open world, driving, combat, and more are sure to entice gamers to play for longer. There are many short side missions, but they can become repetitive after a while. Still, Sleeping Dogs is a fantastic game that has remained in the minds and hearts of fans for over a decade since its release.

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